But, in spite of these advantages, he was really much farther away from

Katherine. The three months had been full of mental suffering to her,

and she blamed Neil entirely for it. She had heard from Bram the story

of the challenge and the fight; heard how patiently Hyde had parried

Neil's attack rather than return it, until Neil had so passionately

refused any satisfaction less than his life; heard, also, how even at

the point of death, fainting and falling, Hyde had tried to protect her

ribbon at his breast. She never wearied of talking with Bram on the

subject; she thought of it all day, dreamed of it all night.

And she knew much more about it than her parents or Joanna supposed.

Bram had easily fallen into the habit of calling at Cohen's to ask

after his patient. He would have gone for his sister's comfort alone,

but it was also a great pleasure to himself. At first he saw Miriam

often; and, when he did, life became a heavenly thing to Bram Van

Heemskirk. And though latterly it was always the Jew himself who

answered his questions, there was at least the hope that Miriam would be

in the store, and lift her eyes to him, or give him a smile or a few

words of greeting. Katherine very soon suspected how matters stood with

her brother, and gratitude led her to talk with him about the lovely

Jewess. Every day she listened with apparent interest to his

descriptions of Miriam, as he had seen her at various times; and every

day she felt more desirous to know the girl whom she was certain Bram

deeply loved.

But for some weeks after the duel she could not bear to leave the house.

It was only after both men were known to be recovering, that she

ventured to kirk; and her experience there was not one which tempted her

to try the streets and the stores. However, no interest is a living

interest in a community but politics; and these probably retain their

power because change is their element. People eventually got weary to

death of Neil Semple and Captain Hyde and Katherine Van Heemskirk. The

subject had been discussed in every possible light; and, when it was

known that neither of the men was going to die, gossipers felt as if

they had been somewhat defrauded, and the topic lost every touch of

speculation.

Also, far more important events had now the public attention. During the

previous March, the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act had passed both

houses of Parliament; and Virginia and Massachusetts, conscious of their

dangerous character, had roused the fears of the other Provinces; and a

convention of their delegates was appointed to meet during October in

New York. It was this important session which drew Neil Semple, with

scarcely healed wounds, from his chamber. The streets were noisy with

hawkers crying the detested Acts, and crowded with groups of

stern-looking men discussing them. And, with the prospect of soldiers

quartered in every home, women had a real grievance to talk over; and

Katherine Van Heemskirk's love-affair became an intrusion and a bore, if

any one was foolish enough to name it.




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